AEW just launched on Hulu Japan, and fans are already complaining about what they’re getting. The promotion’s new streaming home was supposed to make watching Dynamite and Collision easier, but Japanese viewers are now dealing with delayed episodes, no Japanese commentary on weekly shows, and some episodes arriving without Japanese subtitles.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the problems started almost immediately after AEW began streaming on Hulu Japan this week. The biggest complaint is that fans previously had better viewing options through MyAEW and New Japan World, where they could watch AEW programming live without commercials or access Japanese-language features. Now they’re waiting days for shows that have already aired in the United States.
“AEW started this week on Hulu in Japan. There are already complaints in Japan about the service. MyAEW broadcasted the shows live and commercial free. The former airings on New Japan World had Japanese commentary and Japanese language subtitles. The Hulu shows are released days late, have no Japanese commentary and some of the episodes haven’t even had Japanese subtitles.”
That’s a pretty rough start considering how much attention AEW gave the deal when it was announced. As Ringside News previously covered, Hulu Japan officially began carrying AEW programming on November 10, following the company’s September announcement. The service also brought over older Dynamite and Collision episodes, along with All Out and WrestleDream, but the missing language options and delayed weekly shows are already creating headaches.
And the timing isn’t doing AEW any favors. Meltzer pointed out that WWE recently moved to Netflix in Japan, where its programming is available live with a new Japanese commentary team. That’s a pretty noticeable difference when fans compare the two companies’ streaming services.
“In comparison, WWE just started on Netflix live with a new Japanese announcing team meaning Shun Yamaguchi, the younger brother of Wally (Yamaguchi-san from the 90s), and Funaki are no longer doing the Japanese announcing for WWE.”
Hulu Japan has since announced changes to its release schedule, with unsubtitled weekly episodes becoming available sooner and AI-generated Japanese subtitles planned approximately one week later. The upcoming Full Gear pay-per-view will also stream live with Japanese commentary available, although it requires a separate purchase. That addresses some of the language concerns, but it still doesn’t give weekly viewers the same live experience they previously had.
AEW finally has a dedicated streaming home in Japan, but getting fans to switch services is one thing. Convincing them they’re getting a better experience is another. Right now, Japanese viewers who were used to watching live are being asked to settle for delayed episodes, and some aren’t happy about it.
What do you think about AEW’s Hulu Japan launch? Should the company make live weekly broadcasts and Japanese commentary a priority, or is the new streaming arrangement good enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
